Throughout the novel, F. Scott
Fitzgerald uses negative and sarcastic diction to create a pessimistic or
cynical tone. As Nick talks to Daisy in the first chapter, he describes that “Sometimes
she and Miss Baker talked at once, unobtrusively and with a bantering
inconsequence” (12). Even as Nick has a simple conversation with Daisy he is
unable to just focus his attention on Daisy and instead picks apart the way she
converses with Miss Baker. For Nick to continually think to himself about how
Daisy and Miss Baker talk, he demonstrates how he is unable to have a simple
conversation without criticizing the other person. By showing Nick pick apart
how she speaks and call it “banter,” Fitzgerald exemplifies a cynical tone and
portrays Nick as a negative thinker. As the story continues, Nick meets the
Buchanans and Jordan and is complimented as he called an “absolute rose.”
Despite the kind compliment Nick receives, he mentally responds by thinking
that “This was untrue. I am not even faintly like a rose. She was only
extemporizing”(67). Nick cannot even go as far as to accept the compliment and
return it with a thank-you, instead he ponders about why he had received the
compliment and how it was incorrect. After receiving the compliment, Nick
proceeds to call it “untrue” and suggests that Miss Baker was just
“extemporizing.” By not thanking Miss Baker for the compliment and instead
picking it apart, Nick proves that he is a very negative character. Since Nick
does not say his thoughts about the compliment out loud he comes off as being
very critical and rude. After illustrating Nick put himself down and state that
Miss Baker was only improvising by complimenting him, Fitzgerald highlights a pessimistic
and negative tone that is very much apparent in Nick’s train of thought.
This is interesting because I had not really thought about Nick being a truly rude and pessimistic character, but your thoughts on Fitzgerald's diction are really good. The example you used about Nick and his train of thought while he is talking with Daisy is good evidence in proving your point about what Fitzgerald is trying to make the character seem like. I liked reading your diction blog because it made me think of something that I had not before while reading the book.
ReplyDeleteYour analysis of Nick is very intriguing. I agree that he is a very judgmental character and he seems throughout the novel to pinpoint the most personal qualities of a lot of the characters. I can see a bit of Fitzgerald's character portrayed in Nick as well. Fitzgerald was part of the "Lost Generation" which included many writers who emphasized societal woes and criticized those things that Americans valued the most, like material wealth. As the story is told through Nick's eyes, I tend to compare his thoughts and actions in certain scenarios to those of Fitzgerald, espcially those where Nick is quick to criticize or judge others.
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